• World Snooker Championship

Trump edges Murphy in Crucible epic

ESPN staff
May 1, 2013
Judd Trump held his nerve to reach the last four © PA Photos
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Judd Trump completed a stunning comeback to topple Shaun Murphy 13-12 and book his place in the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship.

Trump was on the ropes when trailing 8-3, but stormed back into the contest on Tuesday evening and completed the job to book a meeting with either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Stuart Bingham.

World No. 2 Trump won the final five frames on Tuesday evening and carried momentum forward by taking the first of the final session.

Murphy stopped the rot with a majestic 128 to get back on level terms at 9-9. Trump looked sure to edge back in front but broke down with 59 on the board and Murphy stepped in to clear for a 10-9 lead.

A safety error from Murphy when attempting to get out of what appeared a routine snooker handed Trump a chance in the 20th and he clinically compiled a 77 to level the match.

The see-saw nature of the session continued in the 21st as Murphy, with his break at 62, missed a red into the middle. Trump won a lengthy safety exchange and took the frame to move in front at 11-10.

Another lengthy safety battle ensued in the 22nd after Trump missed a routine black off its spot and on this occasion it was Murphy who got the upper hand to level again.

Trump shook off the setback of losing a frame he should have taken and put together a stunning 90 to move within one frame of victory.

With defeat staring him in the face, Murphy came to the table in the 24th and produced a nerveless 88 to take the match the distance.

As befitting of such a tight contest, the final frame was particularly tense. At one stage it looked as if a re-rack would be called such was the length of the safety exchange. But Trump got the upper hand and forced the error with a brilliant snooker.

He crafted a 40-point lead but was unable to seal the frame in the single visit. However, he again got the better of a further safety battle and was able to edge over the line and book himself a second visit to the Crucible last four.

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